Register

Opal Group SpArc 2020

Omni Grove Park Inn, Asheville, NC
March 8, 2020 - March 10, 2020

16 days left

An Exclusive Event for Senior Specifiers & Architects

Opal Group SpArc is an invitation-only Summit that brings together the heads of specifications and architects from the most active firms in the US. This event is focused on real-world experiences, professional insights and genuine dialog with an emphasis on the industry’s top challenges.

Set in the beautiful Blue Ridge Mountains of Asheville, North Carolina, we are sure the three days spent at this year’s Summit will provide you invaluable information and the necessary resources to enhance your specification writing.

We believe in creating a memorable, collaborative and effective experiences focused on continuous improvement for Spec Writers and Architects. Sit down with your peers in an intimate setting and learn new ideas. Explore what true collaboration really is about.

For a more detailed agenda, please contact summits@opalgroup.net.

Current as of February 20, 2020

2:00pm

Registration
3:00pm

Explore Asheville
5:30pm

Welcome Cocktail Reception
6:30pm

Designing Intelligent Buildings and Cities

Stefan Al, Senior Associate Principal, KPF
7:30pm

Dinner Reception
7:15am

Breakfast & Itinerary Pick-Up
8:00am

Five Essentials for Better Project Delivery

Michael Czap, Project Executive, The Beck Group

Greg Buchanan, Technical Director, Gensler
8:50am

One-on-One Meetings
10:40am

Michael Kostow, Founding Principal, Kostow Greenwood Architects

Blake Jackson, Sustainability Design Leader – US North East, Associate, Stantec Architecture
11:35am

One-on-One Meetings
12:35pm

Luncheon
1:25pm

Thomas C. Berger, Managing Principal, Building Envelope Consultant, Specifier, Forensics Consultant, dtr Consulting Services

James Sandoz, Senior Specification Writer, HOK
2:10pm

One-on-One Meetings
3:45pm

Design Build and Specifications

Jay Whisenant, Vice President, Specifications Lead West, CannonDesign
4:35pm

One-on-One Meetings
6:30pm

Dinner Reception
7:30am

Breakfast
8:00am

Construction Administration

Chip Hayward, Senior Associate/Senior Architect, Michael Baker International

Donald Koppy, Project Director, Architecture, Atkins

Clifford Marvin, Architectural Specifications Writer, Katerra
9:05am

One-on-One Meetings
11:10am

Roundtables
12:00pm

Closing Lunch
1star
Omni Grove Park Inn
Asheville, NC


Opal Group SpArc is an invitation-only meeting for the heads of specifications and design from the most active architecture firms in the country. Registrations are complimentary for qualified participants and include 2 nights of accommodations, meals, networking functions and access to all conference sessions. Manufacturers are able to attend through sponsorship with a limit of two companies per category.

We welcome specifiers, architects and manufacturers to be involved. To learn more about participating, please contact summits@opalgroup.net
  • Rising Costs for Labor/Construction
  • Compression of Projects Timeline
  • Clients Who Value “Value” and not just “Cost”
  • Inter Discipline Coordination
  • Emerging Professional Training
  • Retaining Staff
  • Quality Control
  • Computer/Technology Upgrades
  • Project Delivery Process
  • How Firms are Successful in Their Operations
  • Training of Staff in the Latest Technologies
  • Staying up with the Latest Technologies
  • Dissemination of Knowledge Amount Hundreds of Staff
  • Ever-increasing Complexity of Building Science
  • Translating Owner Desires into Project Objectives
  • Managing Construction Cost Outcomes
  • Training New Talent
  • How Architects Can Better Collaborate with Other Design Professions
  • How to Manage Client Expectations Regarding Design Assist

  • Prescheduled One-to-One Meetings:
    Each participating solution provider and attendees will have pre-summit access to our matching software that allows you to completely customize your meeting agenda. The password protected website provides the information needed to make your selections on who you want to meet with.

  • Exceptional Networking Opportunities
    We strive to maximize your face-to-face time by providing a multitude of avenues that are engaging and informative. The agenda incorporates cocktail receptions, networking lunches and a specially selected offsite dinner at a nearby venue. Opportunities are endless in Las Vegas with a wide variety of nearby activities to continue your networking and build strong personal relationships with current and future partners. We’ll provide a list of our recommendations for pre and post conference activities a few weeks prior to the Summit.

Attendee projects fall in the following categories:

  • Aviation
  • Commercial
  • Federal/State/Municipal Government
  • Education
  • Entertainment/Leisure
  • Healthcare
  • Hospitality
  • Industrial
  • International
  • Manufacturing
  • Multi-Family
  • Museum/Cultural
  • Religious
  • Research/Laboratories
  • Retail
  • Sports/Recreation

    “
    Very well organized. Really enjoyed the mixture and variety of formats for presentations. Architect

    Carrier Johnson + Culture

    This is my fourth time to attend and I continue to believe these events are valuable. The opportunity to hear a variety of speakers inspires new thinking. Meeting one-on-one with people who are really knowledgeable about their products, in one place, is convenient and efficient. Holding these events in nice, interesting venues gives the chance to relax as well. Vice President

    Specifications Manager, FKP Architects

    As always, very good. Professional set up and venue. Very good speaker presentations – topics and presentations. Vice President

    Cannon Design

    Excellent. I like the format of workshops interspersed with business meetings. I also like the expansion/intermix of specs, architecture and interiors – it brings more perspectives to the table. Associate

    LPA, Inc.